Members Present: Barbara Redmond, Chris French, and Rick Denico
Others Present: Mary Sabins, Mary Grow, Mike Poulin, Melissa Olson, Burton & Lisa Miller, Paul Mitnik, Bill McKenna, Chris Mitchell, Billy & Roxanne Pullen, Doug Phillips, Tim Beal, Tom Richards, Rick & Terry Dawson, Mary Beth & Peter Soule, Mark Brown, Bob Williams, and John Melrose.
1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chair Barb Redmond at 6:30 pm.
2. Minutes – On a motion made by C. French, seconded by R. Denico, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the 9/29/22 meeting as written.
3. Public hearing on Auto Junkyards and Hobbyists – The public hearing was opened by Chair B. Redmond at 6:31 pm and read the list of applicants from the agenda. CEO Paul Mitnik reported his findings after performing the annual inspections. Paul recommended approval of all of the applicants on the list and he stated that some applicants had special conditions that they must meet for fencing, area cleanup, etc. in order to keep their permit. After discussion the hearing was closed at 6:44 pm. A motion was then made by C. French, seconded by R. Denico, and voted unanimously by the Board to approve the following list of permit applicants:
Automobile Graveyard / Junkyard 2022
a.) James Cogley, 510 Main St,. Ron’s Parts Inc,. Map 12, Lot 3
b.) Dale Clement, 471 Taber Hill Rd., Bondo’s Garage, Map 8, Lot 13
c.) Bill Pullen, 163 S. Stanley Hill Rd, Freddie’s Service Ctr,. Map 12, Lot 22 & 1
d.) Stanley Garnett, 1616 N. Belfast Ave., Garnett’s Motors, Map 9, Lot 90
e.) Olin Charette, 1499 Riverside Dr., Week’s Mills Garage, Map 2, Lot 89
f.) Voit Ritch, Rt.3, Autowerkes, Map 9, Lot 105
g.) Robert Parise, 1702 Riverside Dr., Platinum & Core LLC, Map 2, Lot 18
Hobbyist
h.) Robert Dore, 919 Church Hill Rd., Map 1, Lot 174
4. Permit Fees – CEO Paul Mitnik explained to the Board that the Criminal Justice Academy is planning a large renovation project. The permit fees for the project will be approximately $10,000. Paul asked if we should charge that much or make an exception and reduce the fees. Paul suggested a fee of $1,000. The Board objected to reducing the permit fees and agreed by consensus that the CEO should charge the Criminal Justice Academy the established fees.
5. Delta Ambulance – Executive Director Tim Beal provided handouts to the Select Board Members and the Manager. He introduced himself and his Delta team members who attended the meeting with him. The handout depicted the history of Delta Ambulance over the last 50 years, describing how the service up until now has been free to towns while only billing for transport calls to patients using the service or their insurance company. Times have changed and the service will now need to ask towns for financial support to maintain the service. A per capita fee of $15.00 is now proposed at a cost to the Town of Vassalboro beginning July 1, 2023 amounting to approximately $66,285. A question and answer session ensued. Selectman French inquired if Delta would consider a multi-year contract, to which Mr. Beal responded that he would need to ask the Delta Board of Directors for their feedback on that question. Chairman Redmond thanked the Delta reps for attending the meeting and for their continued service response to the residents of Vassalboro.
6. Historical Society Building capital needs committee – As follow-up to the discussion at the last meeting, the Select Board voted unanimously to appoint the following members to the new committee: Barbara Redmond, Jan Clowes, Lauchlin Titus, Dave Bolduc, Don Breton, John Melrose, and Steve Jones. The committee will meet before the upcoming budget season to evaluate the capital repairs needed to the town-owned Historical Society museum building on Main Street to determine the priority list for budget proposals for next fiscal year.
7. Other (taken out of agenda order) – Four members of the public, Rick & Terry Dawson and Peter & Mary Beth Soule, registered their concerns about a new Brewery named Sidereal Brewery that has recently opened in their neighborhood on Cross Hill Road. Their concern is lack of trees planted as a buffer zone along the road, which was a requirement of the Planning Board permit. The trees were planted but died, then replanted but not to the satisfaction of the neighbors. Discussion ensued. These neighbors talked with the CEO about the problem and felt their concerns were not heard and want to know next course of action. The Select Board encouraged the complainants to seek an appeal through the Code office as recommended by the CEO.
8. Personnel Handbook – The Board agreed by consensus due to the late hour of the evening to postpone discussion on this agenda item until the next meeting.
9. Reports – On a motion made by R. Denico, seconded by C. French, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Road, Financial, and Police Reports as presented.
10. Treasurer’s Warrants – On a motion made by C. French, seconded by R. Denico, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #23 and #24.
11. Other – 1. On a motion made by R. Denico, seconded by C. French, the Board voted unanimously to approve a liquor license for a retirement party to be held at the St. Bridget Center. 2. B. Redmond sought and received approval from fellow Board members to add comments to a facebook page explaining the proposed Solar Array Moratorium Ordinance. 3. On a motion made by C. French, seconded by R. Denico, the Board voted unanimously at 8:50 p.m. to enter into an executive session pursuant to 1 MRSA 405 (6)(A) to discuss a personnel matter. The Board returned to open session at 9:30.
12. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
/mss
These minutes were read and accepted by the Board of Selectmen on 10/27/22 with the following amendments: None.